Reviewing The Rewards - Part 3

"Vol," Harland said, "just so you know – the men stayed clean. Us of the original squad, anyway. It was only a few outliers that broke through. No matter how desperate we are, most of us know not to get on our knees for pleasure in the middle of battle."

Though he hadn't asked, Harland seemed to believe it important to tell him that anyway. Vol looked at him, and gave a brief nod of acknowledgement. "I see," he said simply.

For some reason, Harland looked relieved by that simple answer. He nodded back too, and went to rejoin the group of raiders – nearly fifty in total by now – who'd begun to gather nearby. Vol could see the order being relayed in real time and he watched the expressions of the raider's faces shift as they were told.

At first, confusion, and then, simple sternness. The sternness of a soldier given an order that he didn't need to question. They steadied themselves to do it regardless.